Su Hao, do you know why black-veined iron was born here

The next day.

Clang—!

A distant, muffled bell tolled, echoing punctually above the dead-silent mining area like a death-hastening curse.

Inside the shack, the men who had been sleeping like dead pigs almost simultaneously jerked upright from the ground.

Their movements were uniform.

Su Ji sat up slowly from the corner and stretched luxuriously, his bones letting out a satisfying series of crisp pops.

His leisurely and contented demeanor formed a glaring contrast with the walking corpses around him.

A few miners merely glanced at him expressionlessly before looking away, getting up on their own, picking up the iron pickaxes leaning against the corner, and filing out.

Su Ji yawned, preparing to get up and stretch his legs too.

Right at that moment.

A figure walked over.

It was exactly Qin Feng.

Seeing Su Ji still sitting leisurely on the ground, a perfectly timed look of urgency appeared on his face as he hurried forward.

Brother Su, it is time to go.

Qin Feng's voice was kept very low.

Su Ji lifted his eyelids and cast a lazy glance at him, his expression looking as if he did not know him at all.

Who is your Brother Su?

The expression on Qin Feng's face stiffened.

Su Ji rubbed his lower back, baring his teeth in a grimace as he complained.

Hiss... I pushed myself too hard yesterday, and today my back is killing me. I am not going.

I am taking a day off.

He spoke with absolute justification, as if skipping work was the most natural thing in the world.

Qin Feng was stunned. He opened his mouth, just about to speak.

But Su Ji suddenly turned his gaze to him, his eyes carrying an undisguised scrutiny and wariness.

What are you scheming, running over here so early in the morning?

You saw how much I mined yesterday and got jealous, didn't you?

Su Ji stood up, patted the dust off his rear, and approached Qin Feng step by step with a playful sneer on his face.

Trying to steal my techniques?

Let me tell you, no way in hell!

Qin Feng was completely dumbfounded.

However, a moment later.

Looking at Su Ji's arrogant, dismissive attitude, his mind buzzed, and he instantly figured out all the underlying implications.

He thought to himself that having been invincible for too long, he had become a bit rusty at playing mind games.

Brilliant!

Truly brilliant!

This Brother Su did things flawlessly, his mind so meticulous!

He was using this method to clear their relationship in front of any potential watchers!

If their secret talk last night had been noticed by anyone, this display today would dispel all suspicions into nothingness.

And yet, he had foolishly run over to act friendly, nearly ruining Brother Su's entire plan!

Thinking of this, a wave of remorse instantly washed over Qin Feng's face.

He cupped his fists heavily toward Su Ji.

Brother Su is joking! How would I dare have such dirty thoughts!

Qin Feng squeezed out a smile uglier than crying, his tone full of flattery and humility.

I just... presumptuously came to ask Brother Su for some pointers.

If I could learn even half a move from Brother Su, I... I am willing to work like a horse and toil like an ox for you!

These words were spoken with deep sincerity, his posture lowered extremely humbly.

Inside the shack, the few miners who had not left yet saw this scene with expressionless faces.

Su Ji looked at Qin Feng's compliant appearance, but his mouth remained unforgiving.

Work like a horse and toil like an ox?

He sneered, reaching out and patting Qin Feng heavily on the shoulder.

With your scrawny build?

After speaking, Su Ji straightened up, resuming his arrogant and domineering demeanor, and waved impatiently at Qin Feng.

Alright, alright, stop being an eyesore here.

Want to learn my skills?

Su Ji stroked his chin, putting on a thoughtful look.

It is not entirely impossible.

First, go mine for me for three months and meet the daily quota. If you perform well, I might consider giving you a few pointers.

Hearing this, a troubled look immediately appeared on Qin Feng's face.

Without saying a word, he turned and walked out of the shack.

...

The sun was high in the sky.

Su Ji was sleeping soundly in the shack, dreaming of marrying seventy-two concubines.

Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Su Ji reluctantly opened his eyes, yawned, and slowly walked out.

Zhang Kui's tower-like figure was standing in front of the shack.

You brat, why are you still sleeping here?!

Seeing Su Ji, he immediately began scolding him.

Su Ji rubbed his sleepy eyes, looking entirely innocent. I was too tired yesterday. I still have so many pounds of iron, can't I rest?

Rest my ass!

Zhang Kui glared at him.

Come with me!

Su Ji's face showed a perfectly timed look of bewilderment.

What is wrong?

Zhang Kui did not answer, merely grabbing him and sprinting all the way toward the mine pit.

By the time they rushed to the area where the newcomers were.

Qin Feng and his companion were collapsed on the ground.

Qin Feng's face was as pale as paper, his lips purple, and his entire body was trembling violently uncontrollably. The spirit-locking ring on his wrist was emitting a visible stream of chilling black energy.

His companion was in an even worse state, having completely passed out, his breathing so weak it was barely detectable.

This time, the confusion on Su Ji's face was not fake.

Wait, bro?

How the hell could you be this weak?

Could he be faking it?

Brother Zhao, what is going on here?

It is baleful aura invading the body! Where is Zhao Tianyang?! Didn't I send someone to call him?

An overseer nearby answered cautiously, Old Zhao... he... he went out early this morning, saying he was going deep into the mining area to patrol...

Zhang Kui's face instantly darkened so much it looked like water could drip from it.

He glanced at Qin Feng, who was dying on the ground, and then at Su Ji beside him, who had a what is going on expression.

He sighed. Sigh.

I originally wanted to extort... chat with you when we drank some wine.

I did not expect you newcomers to be so dishonest.

It is only the second day and you have already touched a taboo...

Su Hao, do you know why Black Vein Iron is born in this place?